Container



Dec. 24, 1940. v PAGE' 2,226,178

CONTAINER Filed Dec. 16, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR f 101 final bje 2 Z0 15 30 L A 'ORNEY Dec. 24, 1940.

J. E. PAGE CONTAINER Filed Dec. 16, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENOR Jalm Erna);

R NEY by the provision Patented Dec. 24, 1940' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application December is, 1937, Serial No. 1so,2o9 9 Claims. (01. 229-55) This invention relates to containers, and more particularly to a container which may be shipped and stored in substantially fiat, collapsed position and which may be quickly assembled by the user as needed.

In accordance with this invention, a container is provided which comprises essentially a tubular body member which may be made of paperboard stock of suflicient strength, toughness and rigidity to contain the merchandise packed therein. The I bottom end closure comprises a relatively stiff, unbendable expansion disc which overlies a bottom end member which is foldable or collapsible,

of a fold line extending diagonally across the same. The lower end of the body member is provided with a rolled edge and the bottom end member is provided with diametrically opposed tabs or extensions which are secured at diametrically spaced points to the bottom rim of the tubular body member. The expansion disc may be secured as by means of a spot of adhesive to one of the foldable sections comprising the end wall member. The tubular body member is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending diametrically opposed fold-lines to permit substantial collapse thereof. The bottom end closure is so formed and constructed as to permit folding thereof into the collapsed tubular body member, in which condition it may be shipped and stored.

The user or merchandise manufacturer may expand the collapsed container into merchandisecontaining position by a quickly executed outward push on the collapsed bottom closure, the peripheral'edge of the bottom end closure seating upon the inturned bottom rim. The end closure may be iurther supported by a circumferentially extending outwardly bulged groove provided adjacent the bottom end of the tubular body member, within which-the peripheral edge of the expansion disc is adapted to seat. A strong and rigid construction providing a substantially sealed and leakproof bottom is thus provided.

The entire container, including the body member and the bottom end closure, may be formed substantially entirely of paperboard material, eliminating the necessity of providing metal reinforcing or strengthening rims. The tubular body member may be formed of a relatively flat blank of paperboard material suitably the side edges of which are secured together by suitable means to provide a tubular body. If desired, the body member may be integrally formed of spiral wound paperboard, suitable longitudinally extending, diagonally opposedscore lines may be completely assembled cut and scored,

being provided therein to permit substantially fiat collapse thereof.

The container thus provided is highly adapted for the packaging of numerous articles of merchandise and particularly adapted for the packaging of semi-liquid materials or substantially dry granular materials, which are fully contained therein due to the tight nature of the bottom end closure and tubular body wall construction. ,-Materials of substantial bulk and weight may also be packed therein. Among the many uses for which this container is admirably adapted is the packaging of ice cream and ices in quantities of from one to ten gallons, the contents being placed in the expanded container by the ice cream manufacturer in semi-liquid or partially frozen conditlon. The ease and speed with which the collapsed container may be assembled intoere'ct contents-containing position is one of its commendable characteristics. The container may be manufactured at relatively low cost, w'itha minimum of material required and with arelatively few simple and quickly performed assembly opera-- tions.

An object of this invention is to provide a container highly adapted for the packaging of relatively bulky products, and which may be assembled by the user in merchandise-containing po-, sition quicklyand expeditiously and at a high rate of speed; without the use, of special tools and jigs.

Another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible container wherein the bottom end closure and the body member may be integrally assembled and shipped to the user. in collapsed position, without requiring the placement or assembly of separate parts by the user to erect the container into merchandise-containing condition.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved container for bulky products which shipped to the user in substantially flat, collapsed position, which may be made substantially entirely of paperboard material, and which may be manufactured at relatively lower cost than containers heretofore provided for similar uses.

Other objects of this invention will become apeparent as the disclosure proceeds.

, Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following particular description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings.

Although the novebieatures which are believed.

to be characteristic of this invention will heparat the factoryand ticularly pointed out in the claims appended hereried out, may be better understood by referring,

. to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the extended paperboard blank from which the tubular body member of myimproved container may be formed;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of an expansion disc which forms a part of an end closure for the container;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of an end member which cooperates with the expansion disc in Fig. 2 to form the end closure;

Fig. 3A is a plan view of a modified form of bottom end member;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of th expansion disc shown in Fig. 2 and the end member shown in Fig. 3 arranged in assembled relationship and constituting the end closure for the container;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the end closure shown in Fig. 4 fully assembled to the collapsed tubular body member formed from the blank shown in Fig. 1, the container here shown being fully assembled and arranged in collapsed position for convenient shipment and storage;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled container arranged in collapsed position, certain parts beingbroken away to illustrate certain features of the construction;

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the container as it appears at one stage of erection into merchandise-containing position;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the partially erected container, certain parts being broken away to illustrate certain features of the construction;

Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the fully assembled erected container; and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view through th bottom-forming portion of the container illustrating the constructional details thereof, this view being taken on line III-4U of Fig. 9.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings and specification.

My improved container preferably comprises tubular body member which may be formed from the blank shown in Fig. 1 and which has secured to one end thereof an end closure comprising a relatively rigid, stiff expansion disc of a size to snugly fit within the tubular body member, a foldable end member attached at spaced points to the tubular body member providing an additional support for the relatively rigid disc. Both the tubular body member and the end closure may, if desired, be made entirely of paperboard material of suitable strength, toughness and stiffness to adequately support and contain the prod-v uct to be packed therein. The body and end closure construction is-so made and assembled as to provide a substantially leakproof container highly adapted for the packaging of ice cream, frozen ices and similar liquid or semi-liquid materials, as well as dry and granular products of various kinds.

The body-forming blank, as shown in Fig. 1, comprises abody-forming section I which may be provided with a flange portion 5 hinged to the body section I along a circumferentially extending fold line 6. The bottom end of the tubular body member may be provided with a circumferentially extending outwardly bulged portion II defined by the circumferentially extending parallel score lines 9 and III, the outwardly bulged portion II providing a shoulder or seat for the peripheral edge of the end closure disc, as will presently appear. A bottom rim portion I2 extends downwardly below the fold line Ill. The rim portion I2 is preferably reinforced by an upwardly foidable collar portion I3 hinged to the rim portion I2 along the circumferentially extending score line I5 and, if desired, may be further reinforced by an inwardlyand downwardly turned edge portion [4 hinged to the collar portion I3 along the circumferentially extending score line I6. Thus, by referring more particularly to Figs. 9 and 10, it will be appreciated that the rim portion I2, the collar portion I3 and the downwardly turned edge Portion I4 together form what might be termed a rolled bottom rim fo the container, which may be of any desired depth. Staples 30 or other securing means positioned around the bottom rim of the tubular body member may be provided toesecure the bottom rim to the body section.

The blank, as shown in Fig. 1, may be provided with a number of conveniently spaced longitudinally extending creases 2 to permit assembly of the body-forming blank into substantially cylindrical or tubular form of the desired shape and contour. The crease lines 2, as shown in Fig. 1, preferably extend longitudinally across the bodyforming section I, the flange-forming section 5, the outwardly bulged portion II, the rim portion I2, the collar portion I3, and the downturned edge portion I4. A pair of diametrically spaced, longitudinally extending fold. lines 8 are provided to permit the assembled tubular body member to be collapsed in substantially flat position, as shown in Fig. 5, for convenient shipment and storage.

In assembling the tubular body member from the blank shown in Fig. 1, the top flange portion 5 may be folded downwardly over the outside face of the body section I, as shown in Fig. 5 and, if desired, may be secured to the body section I by adhesive or other securing means. To facilitate the folding and bending of the flange portion 5, V-shaped cuts 1 are preferably provided therein, which are preferably positioned at the upper termini of the fold lines 8, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

The longitudinal edge portion 3 of the bodyforming blank is positioned in overlapped relationship with respect to the side edge portion 4 of the other side edge of the blank, these parts being suitably secured together as by stapling, adhesive, or other securing means. Referring to Fig. 6, these parts are shown as secured together by staples 29. It will be appreciated, however, that the tubular body member may also be formed of spiral wound paperboard provided with longitudinally extending diametrically opposed score lines to permit substantially flat collapse thereof. The tubular body member formed from the blank, as shown in Fig. 1, may be provided with a cut-out portion I 9 at the upper end of the side edge portion 3 and a cut-out portion I8 at the lower end of the side edge portion 4, so as to remove excess material at this point which might otherwise interfere with the proper assembly of the tubular body member.

.The bottom end closure is formed of two members comprising an expansion disc 25, as shown in Fig. 2, of such size, shape and dimensions that the peripheral edge 26 thereof will snugly seat within the circumferentially extending grooive formed by the outwardly bulged portion II when of substantially similar size and shape. The expansion disc 25 is preferably secured, as by adhesive g or other means, to the inside portion of only one half section 2| or 22 of the end member Suitable means are provided to secure the end member to the bottom edge of the tubular body member at diametrically spaced points. Such means may comprise a pair of tab portions 24 integrally formed with the end member shown in Fig. 3, said tabs being arranged at diametrically spaced points. The tabs 24 and the end member of which they form a part, should be made of relatively tough, strong paperboard material adapted to withstand bending strains without cracking or breaking. It will be noted that the edge portion 4 of the tubular body member is provided with two diametrically spaced cut-outs II, which cut-outs are of a size to snugly receive the tabs 24, as more particularly illustrated in Fig. 3. Staples 3| or other securing means extend through the tabs 24 and the bottom rim ofthe tubular body member, thus securing the end wall member to the body member in a fixed and secure manner at two diametrically spaced points. As thus constructed, it will be appreciated that the body member may be collapsed in substantially flat form along the fold lines 8, permitting the end member 20, shown in Fig. 3., to collapse or fold upwardly along the fold line 23. Since the end wall disc 25 is secured, as by a spot of glue 9, to a half section 2| or 22 oi the, end wall member 20 only, the relatively stifl expansion disc 25 in no way interferes with the proper upward folding of the end wall member 20.

It is desirable, also, to provide a cut-out la- Since the lower rim of the tubular body member,

comprising the rim portion l2, the collar portion i3, and the inturned downturned edge portion H are all fixedly secured together as by the staples 3|! or other securing means, the cut-outs la and II will not appreciably weaken the construction. It will also be noted that, except for the cut-outs la, the lower rim of the tubular memberis of three-ply thickness throughout, the tabs 24 supplying the thickness at the cut-outs II. A smooth and uniform bottom rim is thus provided, which has great strength and is adapted to support products of substantial weight. The height of the rim measured from its lower extremity to the location of the end wall member 20 may be of any desired height to best accommodate the material packed therein and the convenience of the manufacturer and user, and, if desired, the rim may be made of very limited height by limiting the overall height of the rim portion l2, the collarportion l3 and edge portion l4 so as to, in effect, form a rolled edge.

It will be noted that there is very little strain on the tabs 24, since the main weight of the trierchandise in'the container is carried by the stiff realized it the tabs 24 are not cut from the same blank as the constituent half sections 2| and 22 of the end member. As shown more particularly in Fig. 3A, a strip 24a oi strong, bendable material may be secured as by adhesivediametrical- 1y across the and member 20, the ends of the strip 24a projecting from the peripheral edge of the disc so as to provide the tabs 24. The strip 24a maybe formed of tough and strong, bendable paperboard, textile, or bendable metal, suitably secured as by adhesive, staples, stitching or other securing means to the end member 20. Thus, the waste occasioned by forming the tabs 24 as an integral part of the hinged sections 2| and 22 of the end wall member 20, may be saved and, if

desired, the tabs 24 forming a part of the strip .24a may be formed from material of greater strength and more resistant to bending strains than the flbreboard material from which the half sections 2| and 22 are formed. It will also be appreciated that the end wall member 20 need not be made of 'flbreboard but may be made of hinged sections of. metal, fibrous or any composition material. a I

. As shown in Fig. 4,-the expansion disc 25 may be of slightly greater size than the end wall member 20, so as to project into and snugly seat within the outwardly bulged portion ll of the tubular body member. If desired, however, the end wall member 20 may also be made of substantially the same size as expansion disc 25, so that the peripheral edge 28 of the end wall member will also project into and snugly seatwithin the outwardly-bulged portion II. In such event the tabs 24 will hinge about the end sec- 7 tions 2| and 22 a slight distance within the outer periphery 22 of the end member 20, so as not to require any distortion of the "tabs 24 and so as to permit the tabs 24 to project downwardly into the cut-outs I! provided therefor substantially at. right angles to the end sections 2| and 22.

The container as thus constructed can be shipped and stored in collapsed fiat position, as

illustrated in Fig. 5, and arranged in superimposed relationship so as to occupy a minimum of space. Because oi this collapsing feature the container is highly desirable for the packaging of bulky'productsin'large volume, such as one or more gallons of semi-liquid or granular products, where one or more gallons of the product are to be packed in a single container. When the merchandise has been packed therein, the container maybe erected into merchandise-containing position by a quickly executed inward push exerted against the expansion disc 25 which causes the and sections 2| and 22 to expand to a substantially flat position and finally to permit the peripheral edge 25 of the expansion disc 25 to snap into seating engagement within the outwardly bulged portion ll of the tubular body member.

. by the merchandise manufacturer by a single ma The various stages of expansion of the endwall member 20 is variously illustrated in Figs 6 to 9 inclusive. A strong and rigid container is thus provided, which can be erected into container form from its collapsed position with ease and facility, providing a substantially leakproof container highly adapted for the packaging of semiliquid or granular products of all kinds.

It is within the contemplation of this invention that the end closure construction may be entirely supported upon the seating shoulder formed by the inturned rim at the bottom of the container with the outwardly bulged groove portion ll eliminated. The peripheral edge 26 of the expansion member 25 and the peripheral edge 28 of the end wall member 20 may be made slightly oversize so as to snugly fit the inside face of the tubular body member. As a further alternative, the end closure construction may also be entirely supported by the seating shoulder formed by the outwardly bulged groove H without the provision of a bot- I tom supporting rim formed at one end of the body member. Thus, it is seen that the container body may be so constructed that the inturned rim or the outwardly bulged groove ll separately serve as a supporting shoulder for the bottom end 010- sure, or they may be so arranged as to jointly serve as a supporting shoulder for the bottom end closure. While in most instances the expansion disc 25 is desirable, it is understood that in certain structural forms expansion discs may be eliminated, the end wall member 20 then serving as the sole bottom support for the merchandise.

After the merchandise has been packed into the container, the container may be closed by a suitable cover member. One form of cover member which may be used is illustrated in Fig. 9, said cover member comprising an end wall portion 40, a downwardly extending flange portion 4|, and an inturned edge portion 42.- The edge portion 42 may be secured to the flange portion 4| as by stitching 43, staples, adhesive or other securing means. The edge portion 43 is arranged to abut against the lower edge of the downturned flange portion 5 provided on the tubular body member.

If the flange portion 4| of the cover member is made of relatively stiff material, the inturned edge portion 42 thereof may be made to maintain its shape without being stitched or otherwise secured to the flange portion 4!. A sealed container ready for shipment to the consumer is thus provided.

It is now seen that I have provided a collapsible container highly adapted for the packaging of loose, bulky products in considerable volume. The container may be inexpensively manufactured substantially entirely from paperboard material and may be shipped to the merchandise manufacturer in flat collapsed condition, thus effecting substantial economies in shipment and storage. The collapsed container may be set up nipula'tion, without requiring any tools or other means for such performance. Substantially no greater time is required to set up the container in merchandise-containing position than the time required for a groceryman to open a collapsed paper bag or sack. Since the bottom wall structure is permanently secured to the tubular body structure, there is no danger of loss, misplacement or disarrangement of these parts, which may occur where these structures are shipped to the manufacturer as separate units.

The tubular body member, as illustrated in Fig.

1, may be out from large sheets or rolls of suitable paperboard material, the cutting and scoring required to produce each tubular body blank being performed at a high rate of speed and in a single operation upon a cutting and scoring machine. Likewise, the expansion disc 25 and the end wall member 20 may be cut and scored from large sheets or rolls of paperboard material automatically in a single operation on a cutting and scoring machine. A spot of glue g applied either to the expansion disc 25 or to one of the end sections 2| and 22 of the end wall member 20, se-

cures these parts together, an operation which can be quickly performed. The side edges 3 and 4 of the tubular member are brought into overlapping relation and glued, stitched or stapled together so as to provide a tubular body member. The lower edge of the tubular body member is folded or rolled to provide a bottom rim, which operation may be performed either while the tubular body member is in blank form, s shown in Fig. 1, or while in tubular form. The tabs 24 are then inserted in position in the cut-outs l1, and the collar portion l3 and edge portion l3 and edge portion I4 may be secured to the rim portion. l2 by stitching, staples or glue. It will be understood that staples 30 and 3| are shown in the drawings merely to illustrate one of the means which may be used for securing the bottom rim in assembled position. The container is both economical in material and economical in the labor required to assemble same, producing a container of low cost. v in appearance, sturdy in construction, and is adapted for the packaging of numerous kinds of merchandise.

- While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

The container is attractive 1. A container of the character described including, a tubular body member, an inwardly extending rim at one end of said body member, said tu-' bular body member having an outwardly bulged groove adjacent said rim, said rim and said bulged groove providing a seating shoulder within said tubular body member, a collapsible closure adapted to seat upon the shoulder thus formed, means associated with said end closure securing the same to said tubular body member at spaced points, means permitting folding-of said end closure in connected sections, and a relatively stiff end-forming disc member secured to one of said connected sections.

2. A collapsible container of the character described including, a. tubular body member having diametrically opposed longitudinally extending fold lines permitting substantially flat collapse thereof, an inwardly rolled rim at one end of said boidy member providing a seating shoulder, an outwardly bulged circumferentially extending groove in said body member adjacent said rim providing a second seating shoulder, an end closure including a relatively 'stifl, unbendablc expansion member positioned within said body member adapted to 'rest upon said seating shoulder last named, an

' points, said end wall member having a score line extending diagonally across the same substantially at right angles to a straight line drawn between said securing means dividing said end wall member into connected sections permitting folding collapse of said end wall member said tubular body member, and means for securing said expansion member to one of said connected sections.

3. A collapsible container of the character described including, a tubular body member, a bottom end closure including a relatively stifi unbendable disc positioned within said body member, an end wall member positioned adjacent said disc, means associated with said end wall member for securing the same to said tubular body member at diametrically spaced points, and a score line extending diametrically across said end wall substantially at right angles to a straight line drawn through said spaced points, said score line dividing said end wall into two collapsing sections, said disc being permanently secured to one of said sections.

4. A container of the character'described including, a tubular body member forined of paperboard material, a bottom closure therefor including a relatively stiff, unbendable expansion member positioned within said body member, a foldable end wall member, means securing the said end wall member to said tubular body member at diametrically spaced points, a score line extending diametrically across said end wall substantially at right angles to a straight line drawn through said spaced points, said score line dividing said end wall into two collapsing sections, said expansion member beingpermanently secured to one of said sections.

5. A container of the character described including, a tubular body member, an inwardly rolled rim at one end of said body member providing 'a seating shoulder, a relatively stifi, unbendable expansion member positioned within said body member, an end wall member positioned within said tubular body member and adapted to rest on said shoulder, eans associated with said end wall member for securing the same to said tubular body member at diametrically spaced points, and a score line extending diametrically across said endwall member substantially at right angles to a straight line drawn through said spaced points,

said score line dividing said end wall member into two collapsing sections, said expansion member being permanently secured to one of said sections only. a

6. A container of the character described including, a tubular body member, a circumferentially extending outwardly bulged groove adjacent one end of said body member providing a seating shoulder, a bottom closure for said tubular body member including a relatively stlfi, unbendable expansion member positioned within said body member and adapted to seat upon said shoulder, a foldable end wall member positioned adjacent .wall member into two including an end wall member having means associated therewith for securing the same to said ing outwardly bulged groove said expansion member, means associated with said end wall member securing the same to said tubular body member at diametrically spaced points, and a score line extending diametrically across said end wall member substantially at 5 right angles to a straight line drawn through said spaced points, said score line dividing said end wall member into two collapsing sections, said expansion member being permanently secured to one of said sections only.

' 7. A container of the character described in-' cluding, a tubular body member, a rim at one end of said body member, an outwardly bulged groove extending circumierentially around said tubular. body member adjacent said rim, 9. bottom closure 15 for said tubular body member including a relatively stiff, unbendable expansion member positioned within said body member adapted to seat within said groove, a foldable end wall member adapted to seat upon said rim, means associated with said end wall member securing the same to said tubular body member at diametrically spaced points, and a score line extending diametrically across said end wall member substantially at right angles to a straight line drawn through said spaced po' ts, said score line dividing said end collapsing sections, said expansion member being permanently secured to one section only,

8. A container of the character described including, a tubular body member, a circumferentially extending outwardly bulged groove adjacent one end of said body member, a bottom closure for said tubular body member, said closure body member at diametrically spaced points, a fold line dividing said end wall member into collapsing sections, and a relatively stifi expansion member secured to one of said collapsing sections having its peripheral edge extending into said groove.

9. A collapsible container of the character described including, a tubular body member formed i i-om paperboard material, said tubular body member having diametrically opposed longitudinally extending fold lines permitting substantially flat collapse thereof, said tubular body. member also having a circumferentially extendadjacent one end of said body member providing. a seating shoulder, an end closure including an end wall member havingmeans the same to the tubular body membenat diametrically spaced points, a fold line dividing said end wall member into collapsible connected sections, and a relatively expansion disc secured to one of said connected sections adapted to rest upon said seating shoulderwith the peripheral edge thereof extending into said groove.

r so JOHN ERNEST PAGE.' 

